Shape-Up Reviewed

Caffeine is the most widely used legal stimulant of the central nervous system and is also used in Shape-Up, with characteristics that have been described as restoration of alertness and removing from drowsiness. Coffee, Tea, many soft drinks and energy drinks as well as nutrition supplements have this ingredient, which is a psychoactive substance, a xanthine alkaloid that can act as a adenosine receptor antagonist, as well as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Although regular use of caffeine seems to have nootropic effects, enhancing cognitive abilities, it also is known to provide long term effects on the nervous and cardiovascular system, like in one study it was proven that people with normal to low blood pressure have the possibility of developing a heart disease significantly reduced, as well as the chance of getting the Parkinson’s disease.

Chromium Picolinate is another aid in weight loss but as also been proven to prevent acne, increase life span, mood enhancement and boosts energy.

Green Tea Extract- By increasing the body's metabolism, it is widely believed that green tea extract largely aids in weight loss.

Guggulsterone is a plant sterol found in the resin of the guggul plant, Commiphora mukul. It acts as an antagonist of the farnesoid X receptor, which was earlier believed to result in decreased cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

Kola Nut, bitter brown seed that contains caffeine. Once used to make cola soft drinks, Kola Nut has been replaced by artificial flavourings in most beverages.

L-Phenylalanine- The human body needs L-Phenylalanine for survival as it is an essential amino acid. It is found in food items that are rich in protein such as eggs, meat, dairy products, beans and fish. Since the body cannot produce L-Phenylalanine from other chemicals, you need to increase the intake of protein for fulfilling the nutritional needs. L-Phenylalanine is one of the chemical forms of Phenylalanine, an amino acid. It helps in building up of several proteins produced by human body. L-Phenylalanine supplements act as an appetite suppressant as it initiates the release of cholecystokinin, an intestinal hormone. Once this hormone enters the stomach, it signals your brain that you are not hungry anymore. According to experts, you should not take more than 500-1000 mg of L-Phenylalanine per day.

Theobromine- The bitter alkaloid found in chocolate is known as theobromine. It comes from the cacoa plant and is found in chocolate as well as chocolate free foods that are consist of theobromine. Theobromine belongs to the methylxanthine class of chemical compounds. It is found in the leaves of the tea plant, the kola or cola nut and acai berries. No bromine is present in theobromine, despite the name. The properties of theobromine are that it is souluble in water, is crystalline, is a bitter powder, is listed as white or colorless in color. It is considered a lesser homologue because it has a lesser effect to caffeine. Theobromine is the kind of isomer which belongs to paraxanthine and theophylline at the same time. It is basically a xanthine having two methyl groups.

Vitamin B12, or rather the Vitamin B complex, is a group of vitamins that are all soluble in water and very often coexist in food sources. While every single Vitamin from the B complex group has a name, they are very often referred to by the number added to the Vitamin B group name, like Vitamin B1, which is thiamine, or Vitamin B2, which is riboflavin. Some other compounds have been added to the Vitamin B group at some time, but were later dropped, like adenine, orotic acid or adenosine monophosphate, where later research found that they are either synthesized by the human body or simply no Vitamins. Vitamin B complex supports the metabolism rate, maintains muscle tone and skin, raises functions of the nervous system and the immune system, promotes red blood cells and cell growth and division and much more.

Vitamin B16

White Willow Bark, less commonly known as salix alba, is extracted from a plant native to Europe and parts of Asia. The great physician Hippocrates first mentioned the use of White willow extract in his writings in 5th century BC and it has been touted as a powerful supplement for several different uses ever since. It is commonly used as a pain reliever (particularly for back pain and arthritis), fever reducer, and inflammation reducer. Although aspirin was eventually invented using the same base as White willow extract, many purists and natural health enthusiasts prefer to use White willow extract, which is considered to be nature’s aspirin.